Re: Galaxy S III Jelly Bean

I've been a customer of AT&T for over 10 years. Each smartphone I've had from them was supposed to get an update, but they never actually delivered one. This is my first Android, and I'm hopeful it actually materializes because the S3 is so popular, but I can't say I'd be surprised if AT&T delayed to Jan 2013, then "Q1", then June, then never because Key Lime Pie will be coming out on the S4.

It seems that the best thing you can do is wait to buy a phone with the OS you want on it, and don't expect an update. That, or the obvious alternative which AT&T actually appears to go out of their way to entice customers to do: jailbreak. At least then you don't get all the craplets they install. AT&T Navigator?? Pfft. Why not just use Apple Maps?

Re: Galaxy S III Jelly Bean

[ Edited ]

dazimmermann wrote:

I've been a customer of AT&T for over 10 years. Each smartphone I've had from them was supposed to get an update, but they never actually delivered one. This is my first Android, and I'm hopeful it actually materializes because the S3 is so popular, but I can't say I'd be surprised if AT&T delayed to Jan 2013, then "Q1", then June, then never because Key Lime Pie will be coming out on the S4.

It seems that the best thing you can do is wait to buy a phone with the OS you want on it, and don't expect an update. That, or the obvious alternative which AT&T actually appears to go out of their way to entice customers to do: jailbreak. At least then you don't get all the craplets they install. AT&T Navigator?? Pfft. Why not just use Apple Maps?

There are two choices available to those of us who want timely updates: 1) buy a Nexus phone (although you're sacrificing LTE by doing this); 2) root'n'rom!

I'll be going with option 2 if the update is not released by November 30. I love AT&T's service, but I hate their lackadaisical attitude toward OS updates. To me, it's unacceptable to have a top of the line phone that's two OS versions behind.

I highly doubt that AT&T will decide to never release Jellybean, as I'm certain their contract with Samsung has a stipulation that requires them to update the device. If AT&T doesn't release the update, it'll make Samsung look bad, especially since they have provided the update to AT&T several months ago. It is, unfortunately, a question of when they will release it. I wonder if there's a legally provisioned period of time within which they have to release the update, until Samsung steps in and releases it via Kies.

Re: Galaxy S III Jelly Bean

I smell the update wont be here until early 2013 since holiday season is coming up and all AT&T care is selling their phones as much as possible and could careless about rolling out update for droids

Rooting your galaxy s3 (or any android) is the only way to go to get latest stuff. AT&T simply doesn't care about releasing update on time for android flagship phones......This is why i wish all android manufactures just stop letting phone carrier in charge of releasing update. Look how fast apple release their update without going through phone carrier craps

I actually think carriers don't see anything in it for them to update phones that already have been sold. It drags a lot of data over their network, requires development resources at their company, jeopardizes operation of a supposedly stable device, increases tech support calls and in-store support visits, and reduces the motive to upgrade your phone and sign up for another two-year contract.

Only once a phone model's sales plateau or decline does it serve them to upgrade the OS, and then only really on unsold phones. The only reason I think existing users get the update is because they put it on the new phones to sell them, and it's easier to support everyone on the same platform. Meanwhile, rooting your phone not only sidesteps all these problems for them, but if you brick it, you might actually have to buy a new one. NOT rolling out an OS update is a win-win-win-win for them - that is, until their competitor has it.

Re: Galaxy S III Jelly Bean

Today is November 21st, and this is what I found out (or didn't) from an at&t customer service rep when I called. THEY HAVE NO CLUE.

I explained to the CSR that I had just bought a new Galaxy S3 which was an upgrade from my previous phone and signed on for another 2 year contract. I then asked why is there a Jelly Bean update for Sprint and T-mobile but NOT at&t???? She immediately tells me that it's not coming from them but Samsung, to which I tell her no, it's not. I already checked with Samsung and they said it was a carrier issue and that's the update is out on most carriers and to wait for it from our carrier.

This news seemed to stump her and all she could say was, "ummm. hold on." After a two minute pause, she says, "oh, here it is. We just received an email that version 4.2 is coming in the near future." At this point I then ask her when she got the email and when we'll be getting the update. She says they got the email today and as far as when, her email told her, "soon."

So everyone, at&t has no clue. The higher ups give their own employees the same runaround we as customers get. It's pretty poor service if you ask me. I'm regretting signing on for another two years to a cell company that doesn't have enough regard for their customers to give product updates when they're due. It's too bad at&t can't just update their phones more timely without giving their customers poor lying excuses!

Re: Samsung Galaxy S3 Jelly Bean Update - When to Expect?

Give up on AT&T updating their high end Android devices and get a Nexus device instead, Switched my GS3 with a Nexus 4 and enjoying Jelly Bean 4.2. Even if they update you still can't use some of Google's cool apps like Google Wallet because they block it. No bloat ware, no crappy skins, just pure Android experience. Get the updates when they release directly from Google.

Re: Samsung Galaxy S3 Jelly Bean Update - When to Expect?

[ Edited ]

Jnorton2724 wrote:

Give up on AT&T updating their high end Android devices and get a Nexus device instead, Switched my GS3 with a Nexus 4 and enjoying Jelly Bean 4.2. Even if they update you still can't use some of Google's cool apps like Google Wallet because they block it. No bloat ware, no crappy skins, just pure Android experience. Get the updates when they release directly from Google.

If the Nexus 4 had LTE capability, I'd get it in a split second. I have the Nexus 10 tablet, so I can still enjoy 4.2 in all its glory. With that being said, just 8 more days left until I root and install a Jellybean ROM!

Re: Galaxy S III Jelly Bean

[ Edited ]

I promised myself to give AT&T until the end of the month to roll out the update before I root my phone and install a Jellybean ROM, but I'm already reading up on what ROMs I should consider. The fact that Sprint and T-Mobile have both beaten AT&T and Verizon to the punch is shocking and unbelievable. I've been an AT&T customer for slightly over 4 months. While I think very highly of their service, it didn't take much for me to learn not to depend on them to keep my phone updated. I highly doubt that the update will be out before 2013.

Re: Samsung Galaxy S3 Jelly Bean Update - When to Expect?

The poster hit it right on. Most people dont know the version of the OS they are running and most dont care. All users care about is that they can IM, call, email, and take pictures.

For carriers, doing an update can be problematic. Think about those users that try to do an unpdate and the 'screw' up their phone? Think about all the calls to customer service because the user can no longer find the icon or their email layout changed. Its just not worth it for the carriers.

Updates are important to a select few like us that write comments on forums like this. Too bad the Nexus phones are not the same caliber as the Galaxy S3 as those are the phones for us.

Re: Samsung Galaxy S3 Jelly Bean Update - When to Expect?

Good luck! I gave up waiting for this update. I can't wait for my contract to end so I can get the heck away from AT&T and go elswhere. It boggles my mind that they can't simply release an update for a phone.

Re: Galaxy S III Jelly Bean

That's funny you say I was pestering the CSR and yet, I like many other customers would like to know why I am still waiting for an update to my phone when other carriers have it??? So tell me this, who else would I ask for this kind of information? Customer Service Reps are there to answer customer questions, not just handle billing. So please, think before you post next time, thanks.

Re: Samsung Galaxy S3 Jelly Bean Update - When to Expect?

Since there are a couple of fellow XDAers in this thread, it seems to me like the most logical thing for us to do would be to root'n'rom. I'm still waiting it out until November 30, but not a day longer. I simply refuse to accept the fact that AT&T doesn't see a problem with its subscribers owning a flagship device with outdated firmware, let alone firmware that's already two(!!!) versions behind! Again, I never expected a speedy OS update when I purchased this phone, but this delay is absolutely preposterous.

From what I understand, carriers don't like it when people discuss rooting on their forums, so we should probably continue this on XDA. I actually like the functionality that TouchWiz adds to the GS3, but I'm not opposed to using something more stock, as long as it's stable.

Re: Galaxy S III Jelly Bean

zAWING wrote:

That's funny you say I was pestering the CSR and yet, I like many other customers would like to know why I am still waiting for an update to my phone when other carriers have it??? So tell me this, who else would I ask for this kind of information? Customer Service Reps are there to answer customer questions, not just handle billing. So please, think before you post next time, thanks.

I think that you'd be more successful speaking with a technical support specialist, as opposed to a front line CSR. I've live chatted with CSR on 3 separate occasions, and received 3 different responses. One told me that Samsung is still trying to determine whether the GS3 is upgradable, another told me that the last update for the GS3 was released in September and that no further updates are scheduled, and the last told me that he has no information in his system about any GS3 firmware updates. Don't bother with front line reps, they usually know less than we do. It's not their fault, they are just not given enough information to work with.